Transferable and tensile coupling device

ABSTRACT

A device for restricting or preventing the movement of clothing (garments) on a user&#39;s body during exercise or activities. The device has a substantially linear body with pairs of complementary magnets on each end. The magnets slidably hold and secure clothing on the body at two points when force is applied while avoiding damage or tearing to the clothing.

This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/531,323 filed Jul. 11, 2017.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to restricting or preventing the movement of clothing (garments) on a person's body during exercise or activities (and in other environments or situations). More specifically, the present invention is a device having pairs of complementary magnetics on each end of the device, which can be used to temporarily and slidably secure the relative position of clothing on the body at two points to limit excessive slipping or moving of garments during exercise or activities and without tearing the garments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The human body comes in all shapes and sizes, from yoga practitioners to power lifters. Everyone is different! The field of anthropometry studies human measurement and uses combinations of bodily lengths and perimeters to analyze body shape in a numerical way. Three dominant body types have become increasingly known for human body variations. The following three body types are often referenced to characterize physiques: Endomorphy, the presence of soft roundness in the body; Mesomorphy, the predominance of hardness and muscularity; and Ectomorphy, the presence if line and skinniness.

More specifically, Mesomorphs have a natural “V” shape (wide at the shoulders and thin at the waist), and although garments (for example, shirts) remain stable while standing, they will often shift from waist to chest during exercise (for example, while jumping), be too loose at the waist (because the width of the shoulders require a wide base to pull the shirt over head), or shift in undesirable ways under different environmental conditions (for example, while walking down windy streets).

Endomorphs are the opposite of the mesomorphs, as they are often advised by fashion experts to find shirts that get wider as they go down. Although shirts will remain stable while standing, they will fall over the head and face (sometimes obstructing arm movement or sight) when the body is in a strong decline or upside down position (or example, in “Downward Facing Dog Pose/Adho Mukha Svanasana” position during yoga practice).

Finally, Ectomorphs are often advised to wear “slim”, “fitted”, or “tailored” clothing. However, if Ectomorphs wear regular shaped garments or non-tailored clothing, they tend to experience strong shifts in garment positioning during exercise and in different environmental conditions because of their long thin stature.

Hence, different clothing items (garments) will not all fit all body types in predictable ways, especially when performing body movements (e.g., during exercise and sports), dynamic environments (e.g., windy city streets), and/or different positions (e.g., sitting in chairs, leaning against walls). Thus, all clothing moves in unpredictable ways in different environments and circumstances.

The shortcomings of high-level characterizations and sparse anthropometric measurements, particularly for clothing designers as well as garment manufacturers; is that they do not capture the detailed requirements needed for all individuals, situations, environments and circumstances. Active individuals tend to move their bodies in ways not considered by clothing designers and manufacturers, and every individual will experience dynamic environments an a daily basis. Although tight clothing has become more acceptable as a solution for addressing such high-level requirements, it is not preferred by many individuals. It is these needs to which this patent application is directed.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention is preferably a device for securing a relative position of a garment having a garment weight on a user's body comprising: a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from the first body end; a first pair of arms attached to the first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to the second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; magnets each having a perimeter, a top edge, and a bottom edge, each magnet connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at the first and second arm distal ends; wherein the magnets slidably hold the magnets on the first arm distal ends together and the magnets on the second arm distal ends together with approximately 3.83 pounds to approximately 6.13 pounds of force; and wherein when the magnets on the first arm distal ends are connected to each other with the garment in between at one location on the garment, and the magnets on the second arm distal ends are connected to each other with the garment in between at another location on the garment, the magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent the garment from falling down under the garment weight and weak enough to allow the magnets to slide along the garment without tearing the garments, so that the garment is slidably secured in the relative position on the user's body when the user assumes different positions.

The invention is also preferably a device for securing relative positions of a top garment having a top garment weight and a bottom garment having a bottom garment weight on a user's body comprising: a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from the first body end; a first pair of arms attached to the first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to the second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; magnets each having a perimeter, a top edge, and a bottom edge, each magnet connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at the first and second arm distal ends; wherein the magnets slidably hold the magnets on the first arm distal ends together and the magnets on the second arm distal ends together with approximately 3.83 pounds to approximately 6.13 pounds of force; and wherein when the magnets on the first arm distal ends are connected to each other with the top garment in between at one location on the top garment and the magnets on the second arm distal ends are connected to each other with the bottom garment in between at another location on the bottom garment, the magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent the top garment and the bottom garment from falling down under the top garment weight and the bottom garment weight and weak enough to allow the magnets to slide along the top and bottom garments without tearing the top and bottom garments, so that the top and bottom garments are slidably secured in the relative positions on the user's body when the user assumes different positions.

The first and second arm distal ends are preferably configured to wrap around the perimeter, the top edge, and the bottom edge of the magnets, or preferably configured to fully encase the magnets.

The invention also preferably uses magnets on the first arm distal ends and the second arm distal ends that slidably hold together with approximately 4.43 pounds to 5.03 pounds of force.

The first arm length and the second arm length are preferably between 1.0 inch to 3.0 inches, and the first arm length and the second arm length are preferably equal. The body length is preferably between 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches.

The body and pairs of arms are preferably made of tensile material selected from the group consisting of silicone, liquid silicone rubbers, organic rubber, neoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, elastic cords, cotton, nylon, polyester or polypropylene.

The magnets of the present invention are preferably made of material selected from the group consisting of Neodymium Iron Boron, Samarium Cobalt, Alnico, Ceramic, or Ferrite.

The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is also a process for securing relative positions of a top garment having a top garment weight and a bottom garment having a bottom garment weight on a user's body using a device with a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from the first body end; a first pair of arms attached to the first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to the second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; and magnets connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at the first and second arm distal ends comprising; fastening the magnets on the first arm distal end together with the top garment in between at a first location on the top garment; extending the device toward the bottom garment so that the device is fully extended; and clasping the magnets on the second arm distal end together with the second garment in between at a second location on the bottom garment; wherein the magnets on the first arm distal end and the second arm distal end slidably hold the top and bottom garments at the first and second locations with approximately 3.83 pounds to approximately 6.13 pounds of force; and wherein the magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent the top garment and the bottom garment from falling down under the top garment weight and the bottom garment weight and weak enough to allow the magnets to slide along the top and bottom garments without tearing the top and bottom garments, so that the top and bottom garments are slidably secured in the relative positions on, the user's body when the user assumes different positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a transferable and tensile device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side detail view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of magnet 130 shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is preferably a device to prevent clothing from shifting during activities or in varying environmental conditions. The device preferably is transferable (movable) and does not permanently affix to garments. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a garment or garments can be temporarily and slidably secured in their relative position(s) on a user's body through the magnetic attraction of magnets, without tearing or damaging the garment or garments, allowing for a removable and slidable magnetic hold during movement of the garments or body.

As an example, a tilt motion requires a person to shorten one side of the body relative to the other (sometimes by throwing one arm up and, one arm down, or by side flexion or both). This has the effect of tilting the body's axis away from the angular momentum vector that requires the body to undertake a compensating sustained twist about the longitudinal axis, as long as the tilt exists causing large body and garment movement. The magnetic attraction between the magnets of the present invention preferably allows for a strong enough magnetic hold to overcome a net force and tension proportional to these movements, but will allow the device to slide or traverse (move) along the garment to accommodate greater net forces and tension when it's required during tilts and flexion movements, without damaging or tearing the garment.

The device preferably holds the fabric of a garment or garments together by trapping the garment(s) in between the two complementary magnets (which are attracted to one another) at each end of the device by, for example, one magnet pressing into the fabric from the outer surface of the garment and the other magnetic preferably pressing into the fabric from the inner surface of the garment on each end of the device. The magnets can also just clamp around the outer surface of the garment(s).

In one preferred embodiment, the arms of the device are configured to wrap around the circumference (perimeter) and top and bottom rim (edges) of the magnets to create a protruding rim (PR) of elastic material that helps to hold the garment in place (under its own weight) through friction between the elastic material of protruding rim and the garment while a user moves and assumes different positions or in varying environmental conditions. The frictional force is also weak enough to allow the magnets to slide along the garment without tearing the garment. In another preferred embodiment, the arms are configured to fully encase the magnets. The same frictional force applies to the fully encased magnets.

This device is preferably flexible and tensile (stretchable) enough to absorb strong movements, but still limits garments from shifting distances beyond the device's stretchable limit, to restrict or prevent garments from shifting so far to where they can obstruct movement of the user's body parts or shift (causing, for example, more skin exposure than desired). The elastic and tensile property of the device allows it to return to its original shape. This reduces the risk of the device becoming permanently stretched out and a user becoming entangled in the extra length.

The device could also be used to measure body positioning by, for example, embedding electronic readers into the device so that it can record measurements such as the angle of the body bending or the length of a stretch. For example, if a person were to bend over to touch their toes in a forward stretch. The device (with embedded electronic readers/devices) could record the angle in degrees and length in millimeters of the active bend. Over time one could identify if a user's capacity to stretch and perform yoga poses is improving or not.

The presently preferred best modes for carrying out the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-4. Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a user (in a declining posture position) with the user's top and bottom garments (comprised of pants and a shirt) temporarily secured in their relative positions with the device, thereby preventing the garments from shifting, obstructing, or restricting movement or senses (i.e. sight or concentration). Specifically, the device prevents the shirt from falling down and covering the arms and face of the user. The tensile properties of the device allow it lengthen and shorten as necessary to accommodate for movement of the garments on a user's body as the user moves.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 99 preferably comprises of a substantially linear body 340 which itself preferably splits into at least one pair of arms 150 and 151 at a first end of the body (first body end) and at least one pair of arms 160 and 162 at the other end of the body (second body end) opposite from the first body end. The preferred length of the body 340 can vary depending on the garment(s) and/or body types and positioning, but the length would be practical at a length of 0.1 inches to 6.0 inches, preferred at a length of 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches, and optimal at a length of 0.5 inches to 1.0 inch. Each arm in a pair of arms 150, 151 or 160, 162 connects to the first body end or second body end and has an arm length. The arm length of the first pair of arms 150, 151 extends from a proximal end (first arm proximal end) to a distal end (first arm distal end). The arm length of the second pair of arms 160, 162 extends from a proximal end (second arm proximal end) to a distal end (second arm distal end). The preferred length of the arms 150, 151, 160, 162 can also vary, but are practical at a length of 1.0 inch to 6.0 inches, preferred at a length of 1.0 inch to 3.0 inches, and optimal at a length of 1.0 inch to 2.0 inches. The magnets 130, 131, 240 and 342 are attracted to each other and preferably form a hold to temporarily secure garments. Further, while the device 99 has been disclosed as having four arms 150, 151, 160 and 162, it will be understood that more arms can achieve the same or similar function as disclosed herein, as long as there is a sufficient amount of magnetic attraction and tension to temporarily stabilize and prevent garments from moving without tearing the garments.

The first pair of arms 150, 151 preferably are configured to end with rings 100, 101 that preferably surround the perimeter and top and bottom edges of the magnets 130, 131 to secure those magnets 130, 131 in the device. The first pair of arms 150, 151 can also be preferably configured so that the magnets 130, 131 are secured by being encased entirely within the tensile material of the device. Magnets 130 and 131 are complementary and magnetically attracted to one another. The second pair of arms 160, 161, rings 200, 202, and magnets 240, 242 work and are preferably configured in the same manner as the first pair of arms 150, 151, rings 100, 101, and magnets 130, 131.

The device 99 is preferably made of tensile material that is light and comfortable to the touch, so that it does not irritate a user's skin when positioned against the body. The material is also preferably durable with high tear resistance and resistant to water (for example, pool, ocean or perspiration) or extreme temperatures (for example, hot or cold). To meet these diverse and sophisticated needs, the material may have characteristics of both inorganic and organic materials, including (without limitation) durability, resistance to tears, tensile strength, compression resistance, fine electrical properties, flex fatigue resistance, chemical stability, flame retardant, and superior resistance to heat and cold, as well as anti-corrosive properties (for example, against the salt contained in sweat). The material can also preferably include materials from siloxane bonds that form the backbone of silicone, liquid silicone rubbers, rubbers such as organic rubbers, neoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, elastic cords, cotton, nylon, polyester, polypropylene or other tensile and durable materials.

The device 99 comprised of 100, 101, 150, 151, 340, 110, 162, 200, 202 shown in the FIG. 2, is also composed of an elastic and tensile material that preferably restores to its original shape and length after being stretched. The extension of the string is directly proportional to the pulling force and tension. The length and elastic limits may vary but as garment(s) shift and move it will be limited by the elastic limit: of the entire string comprised of 100, 101, 150, 151, 340, 160, 162, 200, 202. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the entire string 100, 101, 150, 151, 340, 160, 162, 200, 202 should be such a length, width, and thickness as to be effective for its intended purpose. Human bodies and garments come in different shapes and sizes so the device can be made in different or adjustable lengths.

FIG. 3 shows a device in a side detailed view, with one pair of magnets 130, 131, attached to one garment (G1) at a first location along the body (B), and another pair of magnets 240, 242 attached to a second garment (G2) at a second location along the body (B). One magnet in each pair preferably presses into the fabric from the outer surface of the garment and the other magnet in each pair preferably presses into the fabric from the inner surface of the garment. The fabric can also be folded between the magnets, so that the magnets in each pair can also clasp onto each other and trap the outer surface of the garment in between the two magnets. Each pair of magnets 130, 131 and 240, 242 create enough magnetic attraction to slidably hold together, so that the garments maintain their relative position on the body (B). The device works using magnets with a combined pull force in a practical range of approximately 1.24 pounds to 10.15 pounds, a preferred range of approximately 3.83 pounds to 6.13 pounds, and an optimal range of approximately 4.43 pounds to 5.03 pounds. The device can also preferably use pairs of magnets having different strengths, for example, by using a magnet having a pull force of 5.03 pounds with another magnet having a pull force of 1.42 pounds, or using a magnet with a non-magnetic metal disc. The magnets of the present invention are preferably made of Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB or NIB). Samarium Cobalt (SmCo), Alnico, Ceramic, or Ferrite.

Although one means of attaching the magnets 130, 131, 240 and 242 to garments has been described, any equivalent method that allows the garments to be slidably secured in their relative position on a user's body without garment degradation (tearing of the garments) or skin/physical discomfort can be utilized. As described below, preferably, the coefficient of friction of the magnets is such that the garment is held in place under its own weight, but also slides between the magnets without tearing the garment.

The end rings 100, 101, 200 and 202 wrap around the perimeter and a small portion of the top and bottom rim (edges) of the magnets 130, 131, 240 and 242 to provide a protruding rim (PR) over the magnet edge. FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view across end ring 100 and magnet 130 so the protruding rim (PR) can be seen. The protruding rim (PR) preferably creates some friction and resistance against the magnets 130, 131, 240 and 242 sliding too easily across the garments as force and strain are applied during movement, but not enough to tear or damage the garment. It is appreciated that other techniques such as hilly embedding or encasing the magnets 130, 131, 240 and 242 within the tensile material of the device can also be employed to create some frictional resistance.

However, because the length and tensile nature of the device has its limits, the device will transverse or slide along the garments when stretched beyond those limits, while maintaining its hold on the garments through the magnets and without tearing or damaging the garments. This aids the device in moving with the body and improves its utility as unique forces and strains are applied to the device. Such strong forces and strains could be a result from; water flow against the body and garments (for example, while swimming); air pushing against the body and garments (or example, running on a windy day); or more complex movements such as angular momentum movements; torque twists movements; angular velocity movements; transverse axis movements (for example, somersaulting); and others resulting from various degrees of axis of rotational movements. It is also understood that the tensile utility can work to counteract the need for the device traversing on the garment(s). This provides a unique and symbiotic relationship to the utility of the device with the garments and/or body.

In another preferred embodiment, decorative materials, such as metal chains, plastic chains, and/or precious materials used for jewelry, can be attached to the device.

As demonstrated hereinabove, the device 99 is well-adapted to securing garment(s) at two points. The device will maintain the relative garment position on a user's body during movement.

While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the presently preferred embodiment described herein, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within this spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Accordingly, no limitations are to be implied or inferred in this invention except as specifically and as explicitly set forth m the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention can be used whenever it is desirable to secure one or more garments in their relative positions on a user's body during exercise or other activities without tearing the garments or causing discomfort to the user. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for securing a relative position of a garment having a garment weight on a user's body comprising: a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from said first body end; a first pair of arms attached to said first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to said second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; magnets each having a perimeter, a top edge, and a bottom edge, each magnet connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at said first and second arm distal ends; wherein said magnets slidably hold said magnets on said first arm distal ends together and said magnets on said second arm distal ends together with approximately 3.82 pounds to approximately 6.1.3 pounds of force; and wherein when said magnets on said first arm distal ends are connected to each other with said garment in between at one location on said garment, and said magnets on said second arm distal ends are connected to each other with said garment in between at another location on said garment, said magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent said garment from falling down under said garment weight and weak enough to allow said magnets to slide along said garment without tearing said garments, so that said garment is slidably secured in said relative position on said user's body when said user assumes different positions.
 2. A device for securing relative positions of a top garment having a top garment weight and a bottom garment having a bottom garment weight on a user's body comprising: a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from said first body end; a first pair of arms attached to said first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to said second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; magnets each having a perimeter, a top edge, and a bottom edge, each magnet connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at said first and second arm distal ends; wherein said magnets slidably hold said magnets on said first arm distal ends together and said magnets on said second arm distal ends together with approximately 3.83 pounds to approximately 6.13 pounds of force; and wherein when said magnets on said first arm distal ends are connected to each other with said top garment in between at one location on said top garment, and said magnets on said second arm distal ends are connected to each other with said bottom garment in between at another location on said bottom garment, said magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent said top garment and said bottom garment from falling down under said top garment weight and said bottom garment weight and weak enough to allow said magnets to slide along said top and bottom garments without tearing said top and bottom garments, so that said top and bottom garments are slidably secured in said relative positions on said user's body when said user assumes different positions.
 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second arm distal ends are configured to wrap around said perimeter, said top edge, and said bottom edge of said magnets.
 4. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second arm distal ends are configured to fully encase said magnets.
 5. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said magnets on said first arm distal ends and said second arm distal ends slidably hold together with approximately 4.43 pounds to approximately 5.03 pounds of force.
 6. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said first arm length and said second arm length are equal.
 7. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said first arm length is preferably between 1.0 inch to 3.0 inches, and said second arm length is preferably between 1.0 inch to 3.0 inches.
 8. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said body length is preferably between 0.25 inches to 3.0 inches.
 9. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said magnets are made of material selected from the group consisting of Neodymium Iron, Boron, Samarium Cobalt, Alnico, Ceramic, or Ferrite.
 10. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said body and said pairs of arms are made of tensile material selected from the group consisting of silicone, liquid silicone rubbers, organic rubber, neoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, elastic cords, cotton, nylon, polyester or polypropylene.
 11. A process for securing relative positions of a top garment having a top garment weight and a bottom garment having a bottom garment weight on a user's body using a device with a substantially linear body having a body length, a first body end, and a second body end opposite from said first body end; a first pair of arms attached to said first body end, each arm having a first arm length extending from a first arm proximal end to a first arm distal end; a second pair of arms attached to said second body end, each arm having a second arm length extending from a second arm proximal end to a second arm distal end; and magnets connected to an arm in each pair of arms, at said first and second arm distal ends comprising; fastening said magnets on said first arm distal end together with said top garment in between at a first location on said top garment; extending said device toward said bottom garment so that said device is fully extended; clasping said magnets on said second arm distal end together with said second garment in between at a second location on said bottom garment; wherein said magnets on said first arm distal end and said second arm distal end slidably hold said top and bottom garments at said first and second locations with approximately 3.83 pounds to approximately 6.13 pounds of force; and wherein said magnets create a frictional force that is strong enough to prevent said top garment and said bottom garment from falling down under said top garment weight and said bottom garment weight and weak enough to allow said magnets to slide along said top and bottom garments without tearing said top and bottom garments, so that said top and bottom garments are slidably secured in said relative positions on said user's body when said user assumes different positions. 